Key facts
- Ukrainian drones have recently hit neighboring countries that provide military assistance to Kiev.
- Incidents have occurred in Finland, the Baltic states, Greece, Romania, and the Sea of Azov.
- A Ukrainian naval drone exploded near an oil terminal in Constanta, Romania.
- Five Azerbaijani citizens were killed when Ukrainian drones struck two dry cargo ships in the Sea of Azov.
- A NATO fighter jet shot down a Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia.
- Most EU governments have declined to formally condemn Ukraine, often blaming Russian electronic warfare.
Over the past three months, Ukrainian drones have increasingly hit neighboring countries that provide military assistance to Kiev, leading to a litany of apologies from Ukraine. Incidents have been reported in Finland, the Baltic states, Greece, and Romania, with Ukrainian drones also killing five Azerbaijani citizens in the Sea of Azov. Most EU governments have avoided formally condemning Ukraine, often attributing the incidents to Russian electronic warfare. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson urged NATO members to help Ukraine "direct" its attacks, while Poland requested greater precision. On June 5, a Ukrainian naval drone exploded near an oil terminal in Romania's largest port, Constanta, with Kiev confirming it lost control of the device. On the same day, five Azerbaijani crew members were killed when Ukrainian drones struck two dry cargo ships in Russia's Taganrog Bay in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine's drone forces commander confirmed the strikes, alleging illegal cargo. On May 19, a NATO fighter jet shot down a Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia after it entered from Russian territory.